Washington [US], May 31: Paris Saint-Germain defeated Arsenal 4-3 on penalties to claim back to back Champions League titles, a feat previously only achieved by Real Madrid.
Arsenal players Eberechi Eze and Gabriel shot wide and high in the shoot-out and it didn't help that Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya saved the kick from Nuno Mendes.
Gonçalo Ramos, Desire Doue, Achraf Hakimi and Lucas Beraldo converted from the spot for the Parisians in a match locked at 1-1 after 120 minute following Kai Havertz' sixth minute opener for Arsenal and a 65th minute equalizer from Ousmane Dembele's penalty.
Luis Enrique's PSG dominated with 64% possession and 18 attempts to Arsenal's nine, with a deflected shot from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia hitting the post, but they eventually needed the shoot-out.
PSG, who had ousted Manchester City, Liverpool and Bayern Munich in previous rounds, finished with 45 goals to match Barcelona's competition record from 1999-00.
Rare repeat Record winners Real won the event three straight years 2016-2018 and PSG are now the second club in the Champions League era to retain the title.
They lifted the trophy for the first time last year with a 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan.
"It was not easy. We are really proud and we knew we could do it. The team is more important than a player. We are a family on and off the pitch," Hakimi told streaming portal DAZN.
Enrique spoke of "a mix of excitement and fatigue. It's amazing to defend the title. Congratulations to Arsenal, they played a great game."
Arsenal devastated Arsenal ended a 22-year title drought in the Premier League but like in 2006, when they lost the final against Barcelona, fell short again of winning Europe's most prestigious trophy. They had entered the final unbeaten with 11 wins and three draws.
It's devastating to lose a Champions League final on penalties," Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice told TNT Sport.
"We win together and we lose together. I'm so proud of these boys.
What a season. It's been incredible. I can't speak highly enough of everyone. I'm obviously gutted but I'm trying to look with a bit of perspective. We'll be back."
It was the first time since Real's 3-1 over Liverpool in 2018 that both teams scored in a Champions League final and the first time since Real's 2016 win over Atletico Madrid that extra time and a shoot-out were needed.
Havertz draws first blood
There were no major surprises in the starting XIs at the new kick-off time of 6pm (1600 GMT).
Havertz got the nod ahead of Viktor Gyokeres in the Arsenal attack.
Hakimi and Dembele were fit again for PSG which meant that all their outfield players from last year's final started again.
And Havertz needed just six minutes to prove that Arteta was right to field him as a starter for only the second time in an injury-marred campaign.
A little luck was involved as he got the ball off an attempted midfield clearance by PSG's Marquinhos which kindly rebounded off Leandro Trossard into his path on the left. Havertz got an unchallenged run towards goal and smashed into the roof of the net from a left angle over the shoulder of goalkeeper Matvey Safonov.
Havertz, who had scored Chelsea's 1-0 winner against Manchester City in 2021, became the third player to score for different clubs in Champions League finals, the others being Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, Real Madrid) and Mario Mandzukic (Juventus, Bayern Munich).
PSG contained until penalty
PSG sought an instant response and dominated possession but their star-studded forward line were mostly contained by Arsenal who had conceded only six goals in the campaign going into the final.
Gabriel had an important interception against Doue and while rarely threatening it could have been 2-0 in first-half stoppage time but Havertz was not quick enough to get a shot off from close range which allowed captain Marquinhos a big block.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya was called into action against Ruiz late in the first half, and also had no problems after the break against a Hakimi free-kick.
PSG finally got the break they were looking for when Cristhian Mosquera's challenge against Kvaratskhelia gave them a penalty which Dembele calmly converted in the 65th with Raya diving the other way.
More chances but
not more goals
The goal gave PSG confidence and Kvaratskhelia's attempt on the counter was deflected against the outside left post by Myles Lewis-Skelly.
At the other end Havertz overhit a pass to Bukayo Saka while PSG threatened when Man of the Match Vitinha aimed inches over in the 89th and Bradley Barcola hit the side-netting with the last kick in regulation.
Arsenal called in vain for a penalty when Noni Madueke went down together with PSG's Nuno Mendes in the area in the 102nd, with Rice and Arteta booked by German referee Daniel Siebert for their protests.
Penalties eventually came in the concluding shoot-out which ended with Gabriel's missed effort. leaving PSG in delight, and Arsenal heart-broken.
Source: Qatar Tribune
